Crate.



T. H. MBNOHION.

CRATE.

APPLICATION "FILED SEPT. 26, 1913. 1,1 07,085} Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 s. p m H e s I 6 awuemto'a ma l m day/M. W y

T. H. MENOHION. CRATE.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT.26,1913. 1,107,089, Patented Aug. 11,1914.

2 SHEETS'fiHEET 2.

lwuemtoz 7. 7%]70210 l Z077. wmwm 7H AnRRls PETERS 60.. PHOfO-IJTHQ. WASHING roN, D. L.

THOMAS H. MENCHION, OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

Application filed September 2c, 1913. Serial No. 792,037.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. MEN- CHION, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fall River, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates and more particularly to knock down or folding crates.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient crate of this character which can be folded into compact form for storage or return shipment and which when set up to con tain the article or articles to be shipped will be strong and durable.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character having a single securing means for holding the top, front and the bottom in operative position, whereby the top and front may be wholly removed when unpacking the case or crate, thereby providing easy access to the contents.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing,

which forms a part of this application, and

in which Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4c is a vertical transverse sectional view. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the parts in folded position.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 represents the back of the device which has secured thereto at suitable intervals vertically extending reinforcing members 2 which project above the top edge of the back and are provided with apertures for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The members 2 are in the form of angle irons and have their short legs projecting beneath the bottom edge and slightly separated therefrom so as to receive the bottom 4 between them and the lower edge of the back.

Hinged to the ends of the back are the end members 5 which have secured thereto the guiding cleats 6. The front and top of the box in this instance consist of three sections 7 8 and 9, all hinged together as shown and adapted to overlie the front and top edges of the end members 5. These sect ons are all adapted to be removed as a unit when the fastening means, to be hereinafter described, is disconnected.

The. present type of crate shown in the application is a piano crate, but it will be clearly understood that the form of the dev1ce may be changed materially without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

The fastening members are in number equal to the number of reinforcing bars 2 and each consists of an angular strap 10 having its upper or top holding portion 11 parallel with the bottom holding end 12, both of which are arranged at right angles to that portion which extends over the section 9 and is indicated at 13. The arts 11 and 13 are connected by the inc ined part 141 which fits the inclined section 8 of the front. The portion 12 is merely hooked under the bottom while the terminal end of the part 11 is provided with a threaded extension adapted toreceive a clamping nut 15. The nut 15 draws the part 10 into tight engagement with the bottom, front and top and serves to hold these parts against displacement upon the ends.

In order to prevent the displacement of the ends I provide a substantially U-shaped bar 16 having apertures in its angular ends to receive suitable fastening devices such as screws which are driven into the ends 5 of the crate. These angular ends are slipped into the cleats 6, thereby preventing any inward or outward movement of the ends. When the crate is folded this U-shaped member is placed over the parts and a bar 17 passed through the ends and held there in by means of the nuts 18 which thread on its ends.

By the foregoing it will be readily seen that the crate maybe simply and rapidly set up and fastened in operative position and may be conveniently knocked down and folded into compact form for return shipment or for storage.

What is claimed is 1. A crate comprising a back member, angle irons secured thereto and extending beneath the lower edge thereof, a bottom engaged between the angle irons and the lower edge of the back, end members hinged to the back, top and front members adapted to engage the front and top edges of angle irons secured thereto and extending beneath the lower edge thereof, a bottom engaged between the angle irons and the lower edge of the back, end members hinged to the back, top and front members adapted to engage the front and top edges of the end members, means engaged with the angle irons for holding the bottom, front and top members in place, and means engaged over said last-named means for preventing movement of the end members relative to the end edges of the bottom, front and top pieces.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAb H. MENCHION.

Witnesses THos. D. SILLIVAN, CORNELIUS W. DONOVAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

